The Empress immediately pronounced a new name for Sophia:So, this is Little Sophie, Sophia Frederica.It was set during the last days of the Weimar Republic-era Germany around 1931, at a time when the youthful National Socialist German Workers"" Party (NSDAP, aka the Nazis) was on the rise.] Ben-Hur""s curiosity is aroused when he learns that Messala will race in Jerusalem""s circus.The Sheik tries to capitalize on Judah""s interest and asks again:Judah Ben-Hur, my people are praying for a man who can drive their team to victory over Messala.There, powerful archer Mathayus was about to kill Memnon when the young boy was apprehended by Memnon""s guards and brought into the courtyard.